Bellingham, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bellingham, Minnesota had a total population of 146, the 741st largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $46,786, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 3.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Bellingham Quick Facts
How Bellingham Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152 | 146 | -3.9% |
| Median household income | $52,083 | $46,786 | -10.2% |
| Median home value | $52,700 | $61,800 | +17.3% |
How Bellingham Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bellingham Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Lac qui Parle County
Cities Similar to Bellingham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brook Park | 143 | N/A | $104,700 | 5.2% | 16.8% |
| Lansing | 152 | $44,063 | N/A | 0.0% | 21.5% |
| Winger | 157 | $48,229 | $91,300 | 19.1% | 6.4% |
| Riverton | 145 | $55,313 | $120,800 | 24.5% | 7.6% |
| Garrison | 156 | $51,250 | N/A | 4.3% | 12.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 146, Bellingham's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Bellingham is a small community located in Minnesota, within Lac qui Parle County. The total population is 146. It ranks as the 741st most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bellingham is 35.7 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.8 years. 11.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bellingham is $46,786. This is 47% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.6%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $61,800. Housing costs are 81% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Bellingham is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bellingham has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 6.4%.
Education
3.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 91% lower than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bellingham, Minnesota is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bellingham, Minnesota?
Bellingham, Minnesota has a population of 146 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bellingham, MN?
The median household income in Bellingham is $46,786, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bellingham, MN?
The poverty rate in Bellingham is 7.6%. This means approximately 11 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bellingham, Minnesota?
Bellingham's population is 95.2% White, 0.0% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bellingham, MN?
The median home value in Bellingham is $61,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Bellingham, Minnesota?
3.6% of adults (25+) in Bellingham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.